The Setup

Articles In This Section:

· The Setup

· Purpose

· Qualities Desired in the Player

· Mechanics of the Setup Position prior to set

· Contact with ball and follow-through

· Over-the-head set

· Other sets

· Technical Aspects and Strategy

· Conclusion

"Pass, set, spike—pass, set, spike" are the offensive fundamentals to be drilled into the novice volleyballer, improved in the mediocre player, and admired in the great player. Without the effective execution of all three maneuvers, no volleyball team can muster a winning offense. Without a good pass, the set is usually bad. Without a good set, the spike is usually bad. Without a good spike, both the pass and the set can become futile efforts. It is impossible to say that one is more important or less important than another in obtaining the point- or the ball as the case may be. The spike appears more glamorous, the pass can appear more difficult in unusual recoveries, but the set undoubtedly requires more precise co-ordination of the muscles and reflexes. All are important and all must be practiced constantly to attain a balance of efficiency.

The importance of good setters is illustrated in the appraisal of the 1952 Hollywood team which won the national championship that year: "Hollywood's win was strictly a team affair paced by two all-time great setup men, Manny Saenz and Jim Ward." ¹

In this chapter we are concerned with the volleyball setup —its purpose, the player, the mechanics, and various other technical aspects of its use.